The Donegal Youth Council have a big day planned for local students on Thursday the 22nd of March.
They have organised ‘Beyond The Birds & The Bees’, an event about Sexual Health & Education, which is one of the key agenda items for the current youth council. It was voted on as a key issue by 99 young people from all over the county at the DYC AGM in 2016.
Donegal Youth Council have been researching the topic for a number of months through a range of consultations in order to best meet the needs of young people. The Youth Councillors have targeted 16years+ for the event, and have invited 4 young people from each school to attend.
The Youth Council recognise that health promotion with young people can be challenging, and that sexual health is a particularly sensitive subject. Therefore they have invited professionals in this area to ensure the information is both accurate, and age appropriate.
Donegal Youth Council Coordinator Carlyn Maguire shared her thoughts about the day: “We hope that the young people that attend will stop and think about their behaviours, and that they get something positive from the day that can be applied to their lives.”
The aim of the day is to develop young people’s personal skills, provide accurate information to young people regarding their sexual health by incorporating a healthy relationships workshop, and to compliment learning that young people are receiving within their schools, Youth Reach centres or any youth services that they engage with.
In accordance with the National Youth Council of Ireland ‘we have a shared responsibility to provide young people with accurate sexual health information and with the tools they need to safeguard their sexual health and wellbeing.” Due to the nature of the topic a support system will be in place for young people to discuss any issues if they arise for them.
Donegal Youth Council are funded by Donegal County Council, HSE Health Promotion and the Department of Children & Youth Affairs and is co-ordinated at local level by the Donegal Youth Service. For more information you can contact Donegal Youth Council Co-ordinator Carlyn Maguire on 074 91 29630 or email youthcouncil@donegalyouthservice.ie